TSI gets $4 million to upgrade dome’s audio system

TSI Global, a St. Charles-based audio and video, networked communications and security systems provider, has landed a $4 million contract to improve the Edwards Jones Dome’s audio system.

James Delaney, visual production manager at America’s Center, said the St. Louis Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority (STLRSA) has already spent $773,000 to upgrade the acoustics of the dome, which has lacked a high-performing sound system for some time.

TSI will replace every speaker and amplifier in the dome, a project that should be complete by the time the St. Louis Rams’ 2014 season begins.

The STLRSA will pay TSI for the upgrades.

Delaney said after the project is complete, the Dome would have one of the most superior audio systems among sports venues in North America.

An arbitrator ruled in favor of the Rams after its dispute with the CVC over the dome’s conditions ended up in arbitration.

If no upgrades are made to the dome, the Rams can move forward on a year-to-year lease beginning March 2015.

Marty Brooks, senior vice president and general manager of America’s Center Complex, said the audio upgrade does not play a role in those negotiations.

“We’ve known for quite a while that the sound system at the dome was not sufficient to support the audio needs of the dome,” he said. “This project was on the board for a couple years to pursue and we started on it about a year before the arbitration (process) was even going on.”

Robert Bray, owner and president of TSI, said the merger would add $5 million to $6 million in annual revenue for TSI in 2014, when the company is looking to post revenue of more than $30 million ­— more than double what TSI reported in 2006 when it had $18 million in annual revenue.

TSI has grown from just more than 100 employees to 145 employees since the merger. Pitt said he expects to exceed the 150 headcount as the company expands staff at its six locations.